Proton is exploring opportunities to introduce more products from its range to Egypt, including SUVs and NEVs (new energy vehicles) “when market conditions are right”, the carmaker revealed in its statement.
The Malaysian carmaker launched the Proton Saga in in CKD left-hand-drive form for the Egyptian market, which will receive the sedan model from the Cairo plant operated by Ezz Elarab Elsewedy Automotive Factories (ESAF).
In the statement, the Malaysian carmaker also said that the presence of the Cairo plant signifies Egypt’s commitment to industrial development, and the facility’s use of locally sourced components, along with its plans for future expansion – including the production of EVs – aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, a report by Egyptian publication Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that the ESAF-operated plant will assemble a new Proton sedan model in 2026, followed by an SUV model in 2027.
This development will enable Proton to enter the Middle East and North African (MENA) markets, though it also means that Proton and Geely could roll out overlapping models for the region as the Cairo plant will assemble Geely models including the Emgrand, which serves as the base for the Proton S70, and the Coolray (Proton X50).
Opened in collaboration with Auto Mobility (Geely Egypt), this is Geely’s first industrial venture in Egypt, Africa and the Middle East. Up to 10,000 Geely-badged vehicles for domestic consumption can be produced from its two production lines, and can output around 30,000 vehicles for export to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.
Does this mean that Proton models such as the X50 and S70 could go head-to-head in the same market as their respective Geely twins, the Binyue and the Emgrand, or might Proton sell a model that Geely Egypt does not have an equivalent for, such as the Proton X70?
In terms of new energy vehicles (NEVs), the term refers to vehicles with electrified powertrains, ranging from battery-electric vehicles to mild-hybrids. One such model within the Proton range is the X90 SUV, which uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
At the BEV end of the spectrum there is the eMas 7 (Geely EX5). There could be further possibilities for electrified models, as construction of the Tanjung Malim EV plant has commenced, and will produce the eMas 7 by the end of this year, while on the PHEV side, the Geely Starship 7 is essentially a petrol-electric version of the Galaxy E5/Proton eMas 7.
A new GMA-based model has already been confirmed for launch this year, which will be either the eMas 5 or eMas 3, and so these models could potentially be earmarked for future assembly in Egypt.
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